DIY Luxury Storage Boxes Tutorial: Upcycled Tins and Chocolate Boxes
Reimagine common pantry tins and chocolate boxes as sophisticated mirrored keepsake chests for your vanity. Watch how I upcycle a simple coookie tin into a stunning mirrored storage keepsake box.
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Have you ever looked at a shipping box or a beautiful cookie tin and thought, "This is too good to throw away?" I know I have! There is something so satisfying about rescuing items destined for the recycling bin and making them into high-end looking showpieces for your home. Today, I’m going to show you how take common discarded packaging and transform them into luxury storage solutions that actually look like expensive pieces you would normally find at an expensive store. But these pieces will only cost a few dollars to make and not only are they beautiful for your space but they’re also functional.
📺 WATCH: See the “Recylced to Remarkable’ transformation here!
Materials
Browse my curated list of Favorite Craft Supplies, Tools & Embellishments.
Scaling Note: The quantity and size of materials like mirror tiles and trim depend on the specific dimensions of the selected container.
Empty Cookie Tin (Large circular size)
Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Box (Clear plastic)
Self-Adhesive Mirror Tile Sheets
Rhinestone Trim & Glass Gem Tiles (Self-adhesive)
Acrylic Mirrors (Round and various sizes)
Silver Ornament Caps & Small Ornament Balls (Dollar Tree)
Diamond-Shaped Acrylic Gems
Jewelry Box Hinges & Screws
Foam Board & Cardboard Scraps (Dollar Tree)
Pearl Trim (Flat back)
Tools
Liquid Chrome Paint Markers (Silver, Gold, and Copper)
Hot Glue Gun
Fix-All or E6000 Adhesive
Tacky Glue (Dries clear)
Packing Tape
Gem Picker Tool
Mini Screwdriver
💡Sandy’s Crafting Tips & Hacks
The Label Removal Hack: To get that pristine boutique look on transparent boxes, you must remove all adhesive residue. My favorite trick is to apply gentle heat—like from a hair dryer—to lift the labels cleanly, or use a bit of rubbing alcohol to ensure the surface is crystal clear.
The Paper Application Hack: For a seamless finish on glass panels, try removing the wax backing from your contact paper and affixing it directly to the glass. Alternatively, I like to customize my decorative craft paper to size and insert it behind the glass before assembly for a beautiful, layered effect.
The Rhinestone “Eraser”: If you find unintended gaps between your mirror tiles or seams where the lid meets the base, don’t worry! I use silver rhinestone trim as an “eraser” to camouflage those tiny imperfections and add an extra layer of shimmer.
The Ghosting Prevention Hack: If your original box has bright colors or loud branding, I always recommend applying a quick coat of white paint or primer first. This creates a clean designer canvas and ensures the original design doesn’t “ghost” through your mirrors or fabric.
The Glue String Removal Hack: Once your hot glue has cooled, take a dry paintbrush with soft bristles and simply twirl those pesky “spiderwebs” away. It’s my signature trick for keeping reflective surfaces sparkling.
Instructions
Project 1: Mirror Tile Cookie Tin Keepsake Box
Tile the Body: Peel and stick mirror tile sheets around the tin. Stop 1/4 inch from the top to ensure the lid fits.
Hide the Gaps: Apply a row of self-adhesive rhinestone trim around the top edge to cover the space where the lid meets the tin.
Build Custom Legs: Glue four small pieces of cardboard to the bottom of the tin. Hot glue silver ornament caps to the cardboard, then insert large diamond acrylic gems into the caps.
Refinish the Lid Mirror: Paint a small Dollar Tree mirror frame with a silver liquid chrome marker. Add rhinestone trim to the inner and outer edges of the frame.
Add Color Contrast: Paint the outer rim of the cookie tin lid with a gold liquid chrome marker for a mixed-metal look.
Assemble the Lid: Glue cardboard spacers to the center of the lid to level it. Use a mix of Fix-All and hot glue to secure the framed mirror onto the spacers.
Project 2: Copper & Glass Ferrero Rocher Jewelry Box
Clear the Lid: Use the packing tape and friction method to remove all branding from the clear plastic lid.
Install Hinges: Tack three small hinges to the back of the box and lid with hot glue to hold them in place.
Secure with Screws: Melt pilot holes with your glue gun and drive in the small screws with a screwdriver.
Cover Sharp Points: Inside the box, push small pieces of foam board onto the exposed screw tips. Cover the foam board with a strip of puffy decorative trim.
Create Copper Accents: Paint strips of flat-back pearl trim and small ornament balls with a copper chrome marker.
Interior Decor: Glue an acrylic mirror tile to the bottom of the box using tacky glue. Flank the mirror with the copper-painted pearl strips.
Add Pedestal Legs: Glue diamond gems into the copper-painted ornament balls (caps removed) and adhere them to the four corners of the box bottom.
The Lid Focal Point: Paint a floral-style mirror frame copper. Glue it to the top of the lid, allowing one “petal” to overhang as a handle.
Finishing Touches: Glue a second acrylic mirror to the underside of the lid to hide the glue marks. Use a gem picker to add clear flat-back gems around the copper frame for extra sparkle.
Related Content & Resources
▶️ Watch Next: More Mirrored Tin Container Crafts
▶️ Browse the Collection: See all my Tin Container Crafts
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Disclaimer: I’m not a professional. All my DIY’s are for entertainment purposes.